Looking out for whales and dolphins

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Get involved with whales and dolphins

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Our vision is the oceans alive with whales and dolphins

Our work protecting whales and dolphins

ORCA believes that the only way to protect our whales and dolphins is to identify areas where they’re vulnerable and study their habitats. That way, we can protect these places by changing the way we use them. That includes shipping, fishing, noise pollution, marine litter and more. Best of all, this information can be shared and used across the globe. Providing a local solution to a global problem.

If we can’t look after animals as awe-inspiring, enigmatic and downright remarkable as whales and dolphins, what can we do?
Mark Carwardine - ORCA Patron, zoologist and conservationist

At the heart of our work

Monitoring & Protecting our Oceans

At the heart of ORCA’s work is the monitoring and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises. It is critical that we learn more about our whales and dolphins in order to understand their way of life, where they breed, feed and travel.

The State of European Cetaceans

The State of European Cetaceans is ORCA's report series, documenting the results of its survey findings, and more importantly, drawing conclusions about what the results mean for whales, dolphins and porpoises in the wild.

Saving Large Whales From Ship Strike

ORCA is working to prevent one of the main threats to large whales – the risk of being hit by ships. Unfortunately, large whales are hit and killed by ships in the Bay of Biscay, in the North East Atlantic. An area identified as an area of high risk from fatal ship strikes.

Explore Species & Sightings

Did you know that the waters of UK and Europe are home to over a third of the whale, dolphin and porpoise species worldwide? We regularly see several of these species from our survey routes. Start exploring...

Survey at Sea

ORCA’s Whale Education Month

In October each year, hundreds of schools and thousands of students take part in ORCA’s Whale Education Month month. This is an annual event with different topics each year. Although we encourage schools to deliver the materials in October, teachers can use the materials all year to inspire students about wonderful whales and dolphins.

New for 2018 - Marine Litter

As part of our Fin-tastic Fun in Schools ORCA has produced a new series for 2018 on Marine Litter. This fun and interactive pack will help children understand this issue.